"Dirty politics by ruling BJP": Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Arvind Sawant on SC verdict on 'nameplates' in Kanwar Yatra routes

New Delhi [India], July 22 : Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Arvind Sawant on Monday welcomed the Supreme Court verdict after it put an interim stay on 'nameplates' on eateries in Kanwar Yatra routes, accusing the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of playing "dirty politics".
"I welcome this verdict...The Supreme Court has done the work of saving the Constitution. This kind of dirty politics is done by the ruling BJP.," Sawant told ANI on Monday.
The Supreme Court on Monday put an interim stay on directives issued by the authorities of certain state governments that eateries along the Kanwar Yatra route should display the names of the owners outside such shops.
The Shiv Sena MP alleged that the BJP was violating the Constitution by asking the shopkeepers to display their names.
"They (BJP) do not have any shame left over their actions. What was the need (to ask the shopkeepers in Uttar Pradesh along Kanwar Yatra routes to display their names?) What did they want to convey? They (shopkeepers) belong to a particular caste and religion. Is this not tinkering with the Constitution?
Questioning the intentions of the government behind such an order, the Shiv Sena MP said, "If they happen to belong to some other religion or caste, then do not buy from them. Is this what you want to do? I expressed my gratitude to the Supreme Court for protecting the Constitution".
A bench of Justices Hrishikesh Roy and SVN Bhatti issued notice to Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Madhya Pradesh, where the Kanwar Yatra takes place.
The bench said state police cannot force shopkeepers to display their names and they can only be asked to display food items.
"Until the returnable date, having regard to the discussion, we deem it appropriate to pass an interim order prohibiting the enforcement of the above directives. In other words, the food sellers... hawkers, etc. may be required to display the kind of food they are serving to Kanwariyas but they must not be forced to disclose the names," the bench said in it's order.
It has posted the matter for hearing on July 26.
The top court was hearing a batch of petitions challenging the directive issued by the Senior Superintendent of Police, Muzaffarnagar, in Uttar Pradesh, to shop owners to display their names outside shops during the Kanwar Yatra season. The police had said that the decision was in the interest of law and order.
The directive was reportedly enforced across many districts of Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand and Madhya Pradesh also came up with similar directives.
The petitions were filed by Member of Parliament Mahua Moitra, the Association for Protection of Civil Rights, Delhi University Professor Apoorvanand with activist Aakar Patel.
They have challenged the directives, saying it's causing religious discrimination and questioned the source of the power of the authorities to issue such directions.
Last week, the Uttar Pradesh government asked the food and beverage shops along Kanwar Yatra routes to display the name and identity of the operator/owner of their establishments.
Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, who was representing Mahua Moitra, Kanwar Yatras have been happening for decades and people of all religions including Muslims, Christians and Buddhists help them on their way.